Yea, I know I am a few days late... but I have been so busy enjoying this New Year with my family that I have not had a chance to sit down and write! :)
I started out New Year's Eve morning by making Italian cookies with my Nanny from her very own recipe!
These are "Nanny Yum Yum" cookies! They turned out beautiful and were soooo delicious!!
I than got to watch my daughter/dog Molly take a bath!! We couldn't let her start out the new year smelling bad! I had forgotten how CUTE she is wet!
After her bath, we all sat around outside by the pool to let her dry in the warm Florida sun.
It was a wonderful day! I know these things might seem silly to be making such a big deal over.... but THESE are the visions I had in my mind that kept me going through years of illness.These memories are the reason I wanted to live!
Later that night, as we counted down to midnight, everyone took turns giving me giant hugs and a lot of kisses!
Grandma hugging her "miracle" at midnight
Watching the ball-drop, together, was very emotional for us. Being home, I am realizing more and more just how much my illness and our time apart has affected everyone… on many different levels.
I know it has not been easy and everyone has dealt with it differently. But this year, I feel more blessed than ever to be a part of this amazing family!
I hope they always know how much I love them and appreciate the sacrifices that have been made to allow me to make it into this New Year with them!!!
I LOVE this family!!!!
Near midnight, I made some special calls to my 'Mexican Family' to wish them a Feliz Año Nuevo! I even got to skype with Dr. Rainbow and talk with Dr. Cantu, Dr. Luigi and Cindel!
They are all always with me in spirit, as evidenced by our scrabble game... Dr. "Green Shirt" Cantu is never too far from our minds!!
After the ball had dropped, we all went outside and made a lot of noise and lit sparklers!
...Maybe some of us went a little more crazy than others... :)
We got to watch our very own "personal" fireworks show that a neighbor across the lake was putting on!
It was a perfect way to ring in the New Year!
New Years Day I was surprised with a very special visit from our dear friend Cecilia, her daughter Sandra and her new baby, Benjamin!
To get into the whole story of just how special Cecilia is to us would take up several pages. She is one of many people who has been a true God-sent angel to us and we love her so much!
Cecilia has seen me at every stage of my illness from Florida, to New York... even all of the way to Mexico, where she came to visit me and help us in 2009!
She was SO amazed to see me now, so well, able to do so much! She must have told me over 100 times how happy she was and how she just "can't believe it!"
Needless to say, having her, her daughter and her new grandson, here in my home with me, celebrating health, happiness and new life, was a perfect way to start out the new year!
None of us can ever know what the future will hold, but we can rest assured knowing WHO holds the future!
I would like to thank all for your generous support and love! 2012 is off to a great start for me and I believe that this is going to be an AMAZING year!! ....A year that would not have been possible without so many of you!
Feliz Año Nuevo!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!!
In God's love,
Jessica
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing!" (Isaiah 43:18-19)
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WOAH! This is an incredible update! Happy New year to you and your family! God bless you with togetherness and health in the new year!
ReplyDeletePlease continue to share all of your new and exciting memories and health with us.
You're an inspiration and will remain in our prayers, always!
How great is our God! You look great! Wishing you all happiness in 2012! God bless!
ReplyDeleteYour story is so incredible. I'm so happy to see that you're home and doing amazingly well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pictures to accompany the words. God has blessed you all! We are very happy for you on this end, and share in your victorious return! You have been brave, courageous, wise and willing. Thank God you can now all be together.
ReplyDeleteMiss you!
So great Jessica! So happy for your family! May 2012 be the best year yet!
ReplyDeleteNow that the new year has arrived it is birthday month for you and mom. the best present is the presence of you altogether.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday month ladies.
Hope to be in naples visiting my folks this winter. can't wait to see you
linda from saratoga
Dear Jessica,
ReplyDeleteIt just keeps getting better and better! Happy New Year in every sense of the word!!!
May you continue to rise above all challenges with the Grace of an Angel. May you surpass your wildest dreams and continue to inspire those whose lives are yet in darkness.
We give praise to our God who has seen you though your darkest hour into the joy of today. This is just the beginning of your new journey into health, wellness, happiness and amazing achievements from baking cookies to ............???
The future is yours Jessica, it is finally yours!
So much love being sent your way!
Rosemary and John
Jessica
ReplyDeleteYOU ARE AMAZING......We love you with every breath of life...Words cannot describe all the feelings and emotions on this wonderful Holiday gathering... Your smile is the light that guides us through each day..We love you so..............
Hi, Jess
ReplyDeleteI'm so hapyy, that you are with you'r family now... enjoying a new life of amazing adventures..because everything you do, is like an adventure to us. we suffer when you are in pain, but when you are happy we can feel your joy. I know,that little by little you'll be like a new person and even stronger, because of your illness you understand everyone around you and became stronger. you became a heroe to all of us. I'm with you, and you are in my prayers every day. I follow you'r updates and feel hope, the hope of one day feel and be better like you. with all my love Sugei Avitia....
sugei12@hotmail.com
I often read your updates but have never left a message.
ReplyDeleteI would encourage you to write down everything you have accomplished since you were bed ridden!, God is using you and you have regained your function while helping so many people be inspired and appreciative of our good health and lives.
May the new year hold great things for you!
All the very best for the coming New Year. May it be one in which the love of your family and friends surrounds you and helps you continue this battle. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! We were so happy to see your update and see the beautiful photos! You all looked like you were having such fun, we wish we were there with you.
ReplyDeleteAlways know you are in our thoughts and prayers daily . . . boy, those little steps have sure turned into gigantic leaps. You continue to amaze & inspire us!!
With our love,
The Klatts
XOXO
Have just found your blog, I am now going to sit down and read the lot lol.... I have had CRPS for about 3 1/2 years, looking forward to following your journey. Anyway of to read the whole blog now. Am so glad things are looking up for you :)
ReplyDeleteI came accross your story via youtube...Then decided to look for an update!!! How relieved I am!!!!
ReplyDeleteEverything worked out for you!!!!!!
I'm incredibly happy to read about your recovery! And that everything was just in time for you to celebrate Christmas with your family!!!
Sending lots of love & further positivity! :)
Its amazing!! Im so happy for you all. Its amazing how normal Jessica looks and seems, at least on the surface, even after the traumas she has went through!! Thank you for continuing to inspire me!
ReplyDeleteSarah and Jessica, What a blessed NEW YEAR in your home with your wonderful family. We think of you so much and will Skype very soon. Happiest of birthdays to both of you. Grandma's cookies look divine!!
ReplyDeletekisses and hugs,
Cathy and Devon
Dear Jessica - you don't know me and I live many many miles away - like other I imagine who have found your blog, I have RSD I have had it now this year for longer than I haven't, and I struggle every day to get people to understand the pain doesn't go away, and to take little steps towards having a life - I will not start saying that I know how you feel, as if you're anything like me you'll HATE that phrase as it's not true... I'm really wishing that you can now start taking those baby steps to having a life, where each little personal success will mean more to you than people will understand.. like you, have learnt how lucky I am to have my family to support me and help me to be less frustrated... I hope your pain remains in remission and good luck at becoming a doctor ..... Karen from the UK
ReplyDelete